- My two littlest men (4 & 5) learned to ride their bikes in the last week. We’ve spent many afternoons outside watching them relish in their newfound freedom of life without training wheels. Between the tricks they’re now attempting and the almost mailbox collisions that seem to be daily, I’m hoping this initial bike riding stress lessens a little with each day.

- American Idol. I’m a sucker for all things reality.

- Our life group. Our group started meeting 5 months ago and I feel so blessed to be able to do life, learn and experience wonderful biblical community through this handful of people, who I am grateful to now call friends. God has been so gracious and loving to place my husband and I in a group we had been praying for. I’m excited to see what the Lord has in store for us as individuals, and also as a group, in the months to come.

- One of my BFF’s Natalie has been in town for a month an a half, while her husband was away at Air Force officer training. We’ve enjoyed days shopping, doughnuts at Bennetts, bible study, logging miles, eating, and just hanging out like old times. On top of that, she has the happiest little 7 month old, who I’ve got to spend time loving and playing with. Her stay has been nothing short of wonderful and I am going to miss her dearly when she leaves next week to go back to DC. Here’s proof of our Bennetts trip (aka- the best doughnut place in town)…

(iphone photo)

- My hubby. It’s pretty simple, but he loves our family, makes me laugh, loves Jesus and is quite the kid at heart. We’re opposite in so many ways but somehow it’s creates this perfect balance for us and our family. I love him.

- Flowers. Before becoming a wedding photographer, I never had an interest in flowers. At all. Already picked or still planted, once they’re in my hands they seem to brown and wither away before my eyes. If you were to look by my front door today, I truthfully have 3 dead potted flower pants without any hint of green popping out of the soil. It’s that bad. However, I have a new found love for all things flowers. I can’t wait to replant and recolor our front yard within the next few weeks.

(These were Alicia’s beautiful flowers from her wedding last October at The Ritz Carlton in Naples, Florida)

Happy Friday!

After meeting with Kyndra for the first time and hearing all about her vision for her wedding, I longed to be the photographer she chose to capture her day. Their November, nautical themed wedding, was right up my alley and I knew the detail in her day would have my heart racing with excitement with pretty much every turn. Besides photojournalism and capturing the candid moments of wedding days, strategically placed detail just wraps up the day and turns the perfect love story into a fairytale of a day. Needless to say, once Kyndra emailed me and told me that they had chosen me, I was completely ecstatic.

Kyle and Kyndra wanted to create their engagement photos as a little sneak peak of what’s to come for their big day, so we decided to head out to the beautiful island of Boca Grande to set the scene. I truly don’t think they could have chosen a better location for their vision- the place was just spectacular and had so much to offer with a great mixture of beach and buildings. Add to that a little burlap, fishing nets, some flowers and a beautiful couple, and I was a photographer in heaven.

There’s no way I could post this without saying THANK YOU to Stephanie of Along Came Stephanie, for coming to help style this engagement session! You’re fabulous and were a huge asset in detailing this shoot ever so perfectly!

Ahh, I’m always a sucker for a high school sweetheart love story.

You’re gorgeous, Kyndra!!

Kyle, you did GOOD and Kyndra, you’re one lucky lady to get to wear this bling the rest of your life!

The Boca Grande Lighthouse- definitely worth the drive to visit!

They say engagement photos are practice for your wedding day. I’m pretty sure you guys are ready.

Meet sweet, little Daisy the dog!

Kyndra and Kyle, November 12th can’t come soon enough.  You have no idea how excited I am to be chosen to tell your amazing love story through photographs. The countdown is on…276 days!

Everytime I do a newborn shoot, I wish I had someone taking video of the “behind the scenes”; there’s so much love, a few hilarious moments (Alisa can attest to this), and of course, an incredibly cute little baby that we’re swooning over the whole time. Thankfully, Miss Myla was the perfect little doll and was so cooperative with every move we made her on. Even more so, my heart just smiles seeing Alisa and Kevin, her proud parents, dote all over their precious baby girl. Congrats guys, I am so happy for you both! Without further ado, get ready for the little girl with hair most newborns are jealous of, here’s little Miss Myla….

Isn’t she just perfect?!

How is it Friday already?? This week flew by and the lack of blogging is a result of a boat load of other work and precious time spent with my family. Although I know I can’t do everything and stay on top of everything {at the same time} the way I’d love to sometimes, I’m starting to understand that this is okay and priorities need to be set. I’m resting in the fact that I do want to be a great blogger consistently but the truth is that I want to be a better mother and wife. Anyway, here we go…

- Jasmine Star- The Fix. Tickets went on sale this week and since she’s a photographer who I admire and have learned an incredible amount from, I couldn’t imagine skipping the opportunity to see her in Miami. Eeeek, soooo excited for March 2nd!!

-Our beautiful weather. I heard on the radio this morning that our weather has been and will continue to be perfect; and although perfect is a hard word to achieve and meet, our current weather surely doesn’t fall short of the definition. Blue skies, no humidity and just the most beautiful temperature.

- Twistee Treat. We took our kids on a ice cream date this past weekend. It was a regular stop in my childhood and there’s something nostalgic about visiting with my own children over 20 years later.

(iphone photo)

- Miss Myla. This past weekend I got to do Myla’s newborn session. Just look below and you’ll see why this precious babe easily makes the cut….

{her official blog post will make it’s debut soon!}

Happy Friday!

- My redecorated/refurnished office!! The past few weeks, we’ve spent hours working on completely redoing my office and I’m thrilled to say it’s finally DONE. Thank you to my hubby for doing all the labor, while I partook in the fun part of shopping and buying. I can’t wait to share because I love how it turned out!! Photos to come…but here’s a sneak peak of the desk I spent almost all day Tuesday driving to pick up and bring back.

(iphone photo)

- In BIG and EXCITING news…a New Mexico Wedding!!! AHHH!! Remember Valerie and Joe? I remember leaving their engagement shoot hoping and praying that I would somehow be chosen to shoot their wedding. Little did I know, they already had an account started where they were saving their sky miles to take care of my flight. So, it’s now official: I am New Mexico bound in August to shoot what is going to be a crazy fabulous day. Their wedding planning is going incredibly well and I can’t wait to see everything come together on their big day!

- My daughter’s gymnastics meet. Although I may go broke from her being in the sport, I’m proud and love watching her flourish as a gymnast. This past weekend we headed up to Tampa for her first official meet and she went home 4 medals richer and pretty darn excited for her next meet in 2 weeks.

- A full DVR. It may drive some people crazy, but I love knowing there are a ton of shows and movies waiting for me.

- The book my dear sister got me for Christmas- “Because He Loves Me” by Elyse Fitzpatrick. I’m not far yet, but it’s already rocking my world and changing my perspective on godliness.

Hospital shoots are hands down one of my favorite sessions I get to do. It’s an experience that is so incredibly special and the amount and level of different emotions is probably at an all time high, for most people in the room. I feel like “priceless” is the closest word I can use to describe the moments and hours following a birth (and moments I sooo wish I could replay in my own life!!).

So, needless to say, I was ecstatic when previous clients, Alisa and Kevin, contacted me about doing a hospital shoot for their little girl. Their wedding day, which was at the gorgeous Miromar Lakes, was one of my favorites of all time. Not only was the venue and event wonderful, but I was blessed to work with this couple who is so in love, incredibly fun, down to earth, and so selfless.

Alisa and Kevin, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I am thrilled for you guys as you begin life as a family of 3. Your baby girl is beautiful and she is so blessed to have parents as awesome as you both. Thanks so much for allowing me to follow you and capture your journey of life together for the the past few years. Love you guys!

Enough writing, since I know everyone here is ready to see little Myla…Just a little less than 24 hours old, here is the “Product of Alevin”!

And this is why I love doing these hospital shoots so much. One of my favorite Myla/Mommy pictures…LOVE.

I’m sure you’re wanting more Myla- CLICK HERE for the slideshow to see a little more….

When one of my other second shooters was pregnant (Katie, who now has handsome little Greyson), I knew I needed to add one more to the MGP team. I prayed about it and the Lord told me to get in touch with Lauren. I remember telling my sister and her response was “That’s so funny because Lauren told me she was actually looking for a little job!” I just love how He works and not only knows, but also provides for each of our needs. God is so good and what a blessing Lauren has been to work with and I am incredibly blessed to call her my friend.

Apparently once you start working for me, you end up pregnant (seems to be the little MGP joke : )), and here we are only a few weeks away until little Selah will make her appearance in this world. I am SO excited and I cannot wait to meet what will undoubtedly be a precious and gorgeous little girl!!

Lauren and Bill, thanks for letting me capture you during this special time. You two will make amazing parents and are such a true example of what love is in a marriage and I know this love will only grow stronger and deeper as you raise your family. I love you guys and am so thankful for both of you!

Ahhh Lauren, you are GORGEOUS.

Oh, how the camera loves you both…



Lauren may just have the best laugh ever (which she gets from her amazing mother)…


Bill, you’re hilarious and Selah is definitely blessed to have a daddy as fun and awesome as you!

I leave you with one of my favorites….

- Four blog posts in a row…this might just be an accomplishment (for me, at least).

- Today, I get to do the maternity session for one of my fabulous photographers. Lauren has been working with me for 8 months and she has been an incredible blessing and a true joy to be with.  Seems like just yesterday, we we’re sitting in the car on our way home from a wedding talking about her exciting news and next month she’ll be holding her little girl. Cannot wait!

- Staying somewhat on that note, I have the absolute best second shooters and photographers working with me. So, thank you to Alicia, Katie and of course, Lauren for everything you’ve done and everything you do. Seriously, THANK YOU. You are all amazing and I am grateful I get to do life with such awesome people.

- A couple we’ve worked with from surprise proposal (captured by Alicia) and then onto their beautiful Miromar Lakes wedding, had their little girl yesterday. Thank you Kevin and Alisa for allowing me to be a part of your incredible journey. I’m excited to add a new chapter today as I head to the hospital this afternoon to capture some of the most precious moments life has to offer! LOVE LOVE LOVE hospital sessions and I totally LOVE this couple, so to say I’m a bit giddy is a bit of an understatement.

From their proposal in 2009…

…and from their wedding in 2010…

- Schedule. I had a blast on Christmas break, but I am looking forward to the normalcy of a schedule again. So long, waking up at 9am and hello, buzzing alarm at 6!

- Cold weather. I’m flat out LOVING it (as long as it doesn’t get any colder).

- 2012 weddings. Our wedding season kicks off in less than a month and I don’t think I’ve ever looked forward to a year of weddings, as a whole, as much as I am this one. There’s a whole bunch of fabulous in store.

Off to spend a day doing my favorite thing with some of my favorite people!

I never thought a game of Sorry with my children could possibly create as many tears, as much heartbreak and as much fun at the same time. In all seriousness, it’s one thing to play a game where we’re each just moving along the board on our own (ie. Candyland) and it’s a whole other thing to play a game like Sorry, where you have to strategically kick people off their hard earned spot and send them back home. And by strategically, I don’t necessarily mean those who actually benefit you to win but those you may be, let’s just say, less thrilled with.

After playing the game yesterday, and sitting there in awe of the roller coaster of emotions I had just experienced with my children, I have quickly come to realize each of them has learned how to be insanely competitive, courtesy of yours truly. Awesome.

Truth me told, emotions ran so high, my sweet little 4 year old quit halfway through out of pure devastation. After laughingly hearing the words SORRRRYYY in his face about 5 times, he was just done and made a quick exit (tears and all) for his bed. I’m thinking the amount of life lessons everyone learned yesterday during our hour long (yes, HOUR LONG.) game were enough to cover us for 2012. Today, for my sanity, we’re off to accomplish the huge floor puzzle of the United States.

We’re already 4 days in and my brain seems to be going about a million miles and hour trying to narrow down my 2012 goals. Since I’m a list-maker, combined with what most would consider a ridiculous amount of competitiveness, there’s something way more motivating about making a written out list of these goals for the new year. Ya know, because being able to cross or check something off a list just gives me a sense of accomplishment. I should probably be clear just in case my husband reads this, this list making just doesn’t seem to work when it comes to laundry (which he graciously does for me), cleaning or the like.

Here’s a few of my 2012 goals I’ve created for myself.

- Family first. I need to be more diligent in putting my family first…even when I’m in great need of a date with my computer.

- Read more.

- Put myself in more uncomfortable situations in every area of life (who makes goals like this?!).

- Pray more.

- Stop comparing myself to others. I’ve never really been one to do this…but I notice myself doing it way too much in this business.

- Quality over quantity.

- Be a better and more consistent blogger.

- Keep a work journal. I keep a personal journal but I want to really use a work journal, where I solely write about work, mistakes I can learn from, things I want to change and the things I’m proud of. I know it’ll be useful and purposeful for later.

Because every blog post is better with a picture, I leave you with little Naomi (or NJ for short). My BFF of over 15 years is down with her fam so they stopped over yesterday for a belated Christmas session an early Valentines shoot.

Unfortunately, NJ doesn’t respond to bribery and she was more interested in the grass than the camera. Therefore, when all else fails, we can almost always rely on the trustworthiness of a dog…who knows exactly what the word treat means.

Happy Wednesday!

PS. Today is most definitely one of those days where I am sooo glad I can stay in my pajama pants, under my covers, while drinking coffee, and blogging. And yet, it’s still entirely too cold for my Florida blood. Hopefully though, this means scarves, boots and the like can make an appearance in today’s outfit!